Monday, February 2, 2009

Silk Paper

As part of the Ratty Tatty Papers online workshop that Dale at The Thread Studio is running I have been making silk paper.
The first one is made from 2 layers of a silk cap.
This silk fiber is very thin and sticks to your fingers especially if you have any loose skin on them.





The next two are made using dyed silk tussar fibers.
These colours are no longer available but I have had them for at least 5 years and I still have plenty left.




They are all made using Textile Medium





I am not a great lover of making silk paper--I don't know why-maybe it's because I can never get the same even flat paper that everyone else does.
I wouldn't mind if I were trying to get a textured look but I'm not .

15 comments:

Sandy said...

They are beautiful and rich looking.

Janet said...

I think they're gorgeous! But I know when you're going for smooth and you get textured it isn't always a good thing.
You're so good with colors and these just seem to be made for each other.

Maureen said...

Have to admit that silk paper is not one of my favourites either but i did some, love the colours of yours Doreen. By the way would you like to come an cool off on my lawn!!

Paula Hewitt said...

I have bought some silk fibres amd textile medium for this purpose - that is a far as i have got. i think i might aim for textured after reading this. it looks nice, though, and pretty smooth from here!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

oooh...pretty colours! I've never played with silk paper so I don't know the pros & cons of being smooth and/or textured. On my computer screen, they look pretty anyway.

Dot said...

These are beautiful Doreen. And I agree with Janet that you have a way with colors.

Know what you mean about silk getting caught on your fingers!

Françoise said...

Beautiful colours Doreen!
But I don't like making silk paper either...

Aussie Jo said...

Lovely colours Doreen.
I've found a couple of factors that affect the 'smoothness' of the silk paper. If I'm making a couple of batches using the same textile medium mixture and netting they get more textured as I go along. The 'fineness' and cleanliness of the netting is one factor, and also the amount of fibres ending up in the textile medium off the brush.

sharon young said...

These are beautiful, Doreen, I just love those colours on the last one.

TracyB said...

Love the last piece!! Can see a lot of machine stitching following the flow of colors!!

Joei Rhode Island said...

Hi Doreen

I can't ever seem to get flat silk paper either. Your colors are fantastic, though.
Joei
Rhode Island

Timaree said...

They turned out very pretty. You may find a great use for them and then want to make more even if they don't turn out flat.

Fibreartist said...

Hi Doreen, I just got my Cyberfyber ATC trade in the mail from you! It is very beautiful. Did you do Dale's last embellishing workshop? I thought I recognized your name. Please check out my blog, it tells alot about me and my art work. Donna from Canada

Lalhezar said...

Doreen Do you make the silk paper between two pieces of reasonably strong netting (not tulle) and then let it dry before removing from netting. I find this helps quite a lot to keep it smooth. I guess you could also weight it down a bit while it dries - this would surely make it flat. I love these pieces - the colours are fabulous. Suzanne

Anonymous said...

Hi Doreen

Love the colors that you have. When I have done silk fusion I used organza instead of netting or tulle, I found that it is softer and doesn't stick so much. If the silk is sticking to your hand try following the suggestions from Treenway silks at

http://www.treenwaysilks.com/inout_spinning.html

When spinning silk I have used sugar mixed with abit of lemon juice and that seems to help for abit. Treenway also has a great article on making silk fusion.

http://www.treenwaysilks.com/inout_fusion.html

I have no connection with Treenway but love their silk.